July, 2012

A lack of exercise is now causing as many deaths as smoking across the world, a study suggests. The report, published in the Lancet to coincide with the build-up to the Olympics, estimates that about a third of adults are not doing enough physical activity, causing 5.3m deaths a year. That equates to about one […]

The Olympic Games are about to be declared open. The travelling Olympic Flame carried the length and breadth of England, Scotland and Wales; it is a symbol of freedom, enlightenment and a burning desire to achieve greatness in sport, in history, personal fulfilment and national pride. The Games inspire the Olympic Spirit whereby men and […]

Dear Honorable Senators, This is a personal appeal to you to reject any attempt to amend the Juvenile Justice Welfare Bill RA 9344 which protect all children from the brutality and dehumanazing conditions of jails. The said law presently gives children protection and help for diversion, rehabilitation and education. Several years ago, during a visit […]

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) and its member groups gave the thumbs down to the new mining EO of the Aquino administration, stating that it is inadequate, unresponsive and misleading. They said that while Executive Order 79 appears to be addressing the major concerns of communities and civil society organizations, “many of these provisions in the […]

The Presidential Executive Order (EO) outlining the administration’s policy on mining is something to be welcomed as it shows a positive concern in protecting sensitive ecological areas that could be adversely affected by mining, especially the horrific open pit-mining that rips out the heart and soul of mountain-sides and forests, and does untold ecological damage. The […]

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Groups opposing the construction of a coal-fired power plant in this free port are not losing hope and have turned to President Benigno Aquino for help to stop the project, which is being pushed by one of Mr. Aquino’s best buddies, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras. In statements posted online and sent to […]

We mourn with the Filipino and Dutch people the loss of a great man who dedicated more than half his lifetime serving the indigenous peoples and peasants whose rights to land and livelihood have been constantly attacked by mining, landgrabbing and destructive business-government projects in Central Luzon. Today we climb up the peak of Mt […]

DAVAO, Philippines (CNS) — Environmental activism is a dangerous vocation in the Philippines, but a Catholic nun in Mindanao is defying those who want her to return to her convent and stop raising her voice in defense of creation. Benedictine Sister Stella Matutina works in Mindanao, the most conflictive island in the southern Philippines. Now […]

Two congregations of nuns are among a group of investors who secured an undisclosed out-of-court settlement with international investment bank Morgan Stanley over the alleged mismanagement of their investments. The Holy Faith Sisters in Dublin and the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary in Hertfordshire, along with more than 128 other investors, sought compensation […]

Some thousands of indigenous people all over the Philippines, especially in Mindanao, especially the Subaanen people, on the Zamboanga Peninsula have struggle for years to stop mining corporations from moving in to explore and mine the mountains and hills. They are victims of corrupt government officials and even judges who are captivated by the vested […]